Nature Notes: Fishing Has No Boundaries

Thursday

Mar 5, 2009 at 12:01 AMMay 12, 2009 at 2:59 PM

(FHNB - Central Ohio photo)

The Central Ohio chapter of Fishing Has No Boundaries, a national non-profit organization, will open up the great outdoors to people with disabilities June 6. For one day, about 75 people with physical and mental challenges will be able to get on the water and fish on boats docked at the Buckeye Boat Club on Hoover Reservoir.

The ethos of the event is embodied in a simple statement from the group's homepage: "Most of us think that going fishing is as easy as a walk down to a lake. For over 56 million Americans with disabilities, it's just not that easy."

My cousin has cerebral palsy, and I've seen him energized after being outdoors, a world from which he's normally cut off. Even 20 minutes in the middle seat of a wave runner seemed to make him happy for a week. Taking him out was difficult; it was always worth it.

The day of fishing is the only event of its kind this year in Central Ohio. You can help out by volunteering or by donating funds to pay for fuel, food and other supplies.